Aquatic Volunteer Instructors celebrated for their combined 3,700 volunteer hours
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) celebrated their top Aquatic Volunteer Instructors (Aquatic VIP) at an Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in Baton Rouge, LA. Volunteers who logged a minimum of 15 hours between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, were honored at the banquet for their dedication and impact. Prior to kicking off the banquet and awards ceremony, the Aquatic VIPs attended an extended education presentation about LDWF’s LA Creel program.
Banquet honorees are part of LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program, where they are trained and certified by Fisheries Outreach and Education staff and allow the Department to educate more youth and adults across the state about Louisiana’s fisheries and aquatic resources. Volunteer hours play a vital role in supporting LDWF’s mission, as they are used to match federal funding received through the Sport Fish Restoration fund. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, Aquatic VIPs logged over 3,700 volunteer hours and contributed in-kind match to our federal funding source. Aquatic VIPs and LDWF Fisheries Outreach staff participated in 165 events and had over 17,000 face-to-face interactions. Aquatic VIPs are essential for educating and promoting the wise utilization of Louisiana’s fisheries resources.
Certificates and awards were presented in several categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Fintastic Performance, Outstanding Performance, Fishing Course Series Excellence, Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year, and Aquatic VIP of the Year.
Below are list of the Lifetime Achievement honorees and this year’s awards recipients, including those unable to attend the banquet.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Lifetime Achievement Awards celebrate the number of hours an Aquatic VIP dedicates to the program throughout their lifetime as a volunteer. These awards were presented at key milestones of 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 Aquatic VIP hours.
50 VIP Hours
| Gary Alipio | David Alphonso, Jr. | John King | |||
| Gigi Bertrand | Chandler Aucoin | Kim Lofton | |||
| Stephen Casebonne | Leonard Baham | Hank Marchal | |||
| Jennifer Cook | Donovan Burke | Sue Marchal | |||
| Amanda Marshall | Nancy Burtchaell | Ben Martino | |||
| Barbara Morris | Christa Dedebant | Miranda Nunnery | |||
| Joey Musso | Brian Hurt | Wanda Stewart | |||
| Terry Shelvin | Stephanie Jackson | Diane Weigand | |||
100 VIP Hours
| Nadra DeMagnus | Sherry Boudreaux | Tamara McDavid | |||
| Brad Dunne | Amanda Clark | Sandi McGrew | |||
| Tim Killeen | Ashley Gubancsik | Jamie McLaughlin | |||
| Lori Marinovich | Nicholas Henderson | Michael Nolan | |||
| Jodi Morton | Robert Johnson | Pam Pearce | |||
| Lisa Musso | Pamela Keller | Doreen Rivere | |||
| Anna Washington | Eric Lacefield | Michael White-Lewis | |||
| Stacy Watts | Keith McDavid | ||||
250 VIP Hours
| Beth Schwander |
| Bob Bateman |
| Joe France |
| Nancy Walsh |
500 VIP Hours
| Debrina Baham |
| Rachel Duplechain |
| Jay Schwander |
| Stephanie Vidrine |
750 VIP Hours
Don Montgomery
1,000 VIP Hours
Edwin Richards
Fintastic Performance Award
Those who served 40 hours or more during the fiscal year 2024-2025 received the Fintastic Award.
| Debrina Baham | Don Montgomery | Terry Shelvin | ||
| Nadra DeMagnus | Barbara Morris | Stephanie Vidrine | ||
| Brad Dunne | Jodi Morton | Nancy Walsh | ||
| Rachel Duplechain | Lisa Musso | Amanda Clark | ||
| Tim Killeen | Ed Richards | Nicholas Henderson | ||
| Lori Marinovich | Beth Schwander | Miranda Nunnery | ||
| Amanda Marshall | Jay Schwander | Pam Pearce | ||
Outstanding Performance Award
Tim Killeen
Beth Schwander
Fishing Course Series Excellence Award
Brad Dunne
Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year
Nadra DeMagnus
Aquatic VIP of the Year
Jay Schwander
Thank you to all of LDWF’s amazing volunteers who dedicate their time and passion towards aquatic and fisheries education!
The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF). LDWF extends its appreciation to the sponsors and donors whose contributions—received by LAWFF—helped support LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet.
Sponsors and donors include Blue Runner Foods, Bob St. Amant, Bon Temps Grill, Candace Alexander Art Studio, Cajun Caviar, Cajun Food Tours, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Eric Lacefield, New Orleans Steamboat Company, Pelican Pointe Carwash, Perino’s Home and Garden, Roots Floral Preservation, Southern Hospitality Kitchens, Tree Frogs Adventure Park, and Wild Birds Unlimited.
To learn more about the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program or to register for an upcoming workshop please visit: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education.
